For the last several years I have found myself drawn to a certain color and look in photography. I finally discovered that the look and color I was striving to create came from film. To be even more specific, the look I love comes from medium forma cameras and Fuji 400H film. It may seem like there shouldn't be a difference between film and digital, but as far I can see, there is a difference. Maybe it's the picky photographer in me coming out.

Terri Bleeker (c) 2012

I ordered some film and pulled out the only working film cameras I had and set out last fall to photograph a wedding at a local park. The results I got from the 35mm camera were fine, but the medium format camera was a beas. This thing literally has recoil when you released the shutter. I knew it was finally time to let the camera that had been sitting in my basement go. I wanted to shoot film bad enough that I could finally swallow the guilt of trading in a camera, a really nice camera, that had been given to me.

I had no idea what features I really wanted. I knew that my big wish was to get a Contax 645 with an 80mm lens, but my wallet disagreed. After talking to the really knowledgeable and really nice owner at World of Used Photography I left with a Bronica 645. I only shot 2 rolls of film on the camera before I became hooked. I read Jonathan Canlas's Film is Not Dead while on vacation last summer and now felt like I understood medium format cameras and could make a better trade. I did tons of research and decided I could trade in my Bronica and afford a Mamiya 645 Pro TL. So in the fall I traded in my Bronica for the Mamiya I wanted and tracked down a Polaroid back at Columbus Camera Group.

I had loads of fun shooting Polaroids of my family on Thanksgiving day. I was completely hooked and couldn't stop smiling. So this has started my journey to get reacquainted with film. I'm sure I'll have some rough frames along the way, but it's fun and challenging and, I think, completely worth making some mistakes along the way.

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After moving last year I decided it was time to take the full leap to film. It was largely a financial issue - aka lack of funds to purchase a new digital camera - but sometimes we need the push to go in the direction we wanted to head in the first place. So I’m in a new state and rebuilding my portfolio with film. I’m so excited and a bit anxious. Both good things for different reasons. I love the look of film and love how it forces me to slow down and be more attentive. I’m so blessed that @c.wllce allowed me to photograph her beautiful little family as I rebuild from the ground up. #stlphotographer #film #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #kirkwoodmo #kirkwoodphotographer #stcharlesmo #filmphotographer #stl #stlnewbornphotographer #stlfamilyphotographer

So I fell behind with my postcard project. Between traveling for the holidays and sickness working it’s way through the house and a packed week of appointments I found myself with partially finished cards taunting me for 3 weeks. But I’m caught up now and the postcards are on their way. I had a lot of fun with these 3. I let chaos reign in one and used colors far outside my normal range. I had fun creating an illustration for another. I had fun and I’m so glad to be caught up. I can’t believe I only have 6 weeks left in this project. #52postcards #project52 #52weekproject #handlettering #illustration #watercolor #handlettered #scripture #bibleverse

My hubby and I were blessed to spend the afternoon with a wonderful couple and their precious newborn. We so enjoyed the conversation and I loved photographing the beautiful new family. ☺️💕

True confession-I have been collecting vintage scraps of paper, photos, and other trinkets for several years. My intention has been to do collages, but, to be honest, I’m too freaked out about ruining something. It’s time to move past my hang ups so I purchased “Wreck This Journal.” My goal is to move past my perfectionism. Several of the prompts in this book severely challenge my perfectionism and make me a bit uncomfortable. I’m going to push through, do the book, and, hopefully, afterward break out my vintage ephemera and start collaging. Here’s to artistic freedom. #wreckthisjournal

That blur is my nephew. He thought taking a photo with Aunt Terri was a hilarious game. 😆 Uncle Rob had to capture him for a photo. #lifein614

I had fun making handmade gifts this year. This was my first linoleum cut. It’s good I didn’t know what I was getting myself in to. 😁 #linocut #linoprint #handlettered #handlettering #carmenohio #gobucks #ohiostate #buckeyeforlife

I’m learning that the more I trust God and the better I know Him, the more I experience joy in my life. 42/52 #52postcards #handlettered #handlettering #brushlettering #bibleverse #scripture #joy #watercolor

It was an awesome blessing to worship and reflect with our Ohio church family after a long year. I loved hearing their beautiful voices. I also loved that our daughter ended up in the kids Christmas performance. #lifein614

I love what I do for a living for a whole host of reasons. One of which is that work so often looks like this - art supplies everywhere and crafting happening. #lovemyjob #watercolor

This is Sophie. She designed the awesome new sweatshirt I got @happycamperclothingco

This postcard is for a woman who is a walking embodiment of this scripture. She has been through so much in the last several years, and yet she continues to glow with the joy of the Lord. Her beautiful smile and laugh are a reminder that we really can let God carry our burdens for us and move forward trusting that He will work things out. 41/52 #52postcards #handlettered #handlettering #bibleverse #scripture #brushlettering

Just an all around great reminder of how deeply and dearly we are loved. #52postcards #handlettered #handlettering #bibleverse #scripture #moderncalligraphy #brushlettering

Apparently I completely forgot to post card 38/52. I love this reminder. I know I've been amazed by how much bigger Gods plans are than my own. I've learned we expect so much less than what is possible. But if we open our heart and invite dreams and possibilities we're in for an amazing adventure. #snailmail #52postcards #handlettered #handlettering #scripture #bibleverse

We fight so hard to not stop or rest thinking it's laziness or unproductive. How wrongs we are. God rested after 6 days so what makes us think we shouldn't have times of rest? We have to be more present and, at times, still. It's refreshing, renewing, and where God often waits patients for us. 38/52 #52postcards #snailmail #handlettered #handlettering #illustration #scripture #bibleverse

We made a tourist stop to the Little Town with Big Things on the way home today. We saw the world’s largest rocking chair, wind chimes, wooden shoes, mailbox, bird cage, pencil, top, knitting needles, measuring stick, and crochet needles. It was a fun stop since we’ve seen the signs so many times this year. #familytime #travel #lifein314

I love how something as simple as a tree stand can be used as an art gallery.

My mom's idea of sketching blows my attempts you draw out of the water. She's working from a reference photo she found on the interwebs. No grids. No tracing. Just eyeballing it. Totally insane. #illustration #sketching

Sometimes we need the reminder that, even though what we’re walking through is hard, if God is in it He’ll get us through it. 37/52 #scripture #bibleverse #handlettered #handlettering #snailmail #52postcards

About 20 years ago the city of Newark commissioned my grandpa to build a diorama of a corner of the city after seeing one he had been commissioned to build for Chillicothe. It resides in @theworksmuseumohio My grandpa ended up building the corner of the city where the museum is as well as the entire wheel house for the train station that used to be there. We were able to tell the museum that the watercolor of a train they have on display is also one of his. It was really cool to hear how the gentleman who oversees this part of the museum uses the city diorama frequently to teach visitors about changes in the area. #familytime #newarkohio #trains #diorama #ohio #lifein614